begonia are tender perennial , grow for their colorful blossom and foliage . Most begonia can be grown alfresco in pots , in the ground , or in hang baskets in filtered light and moist , but well drained soil . Where not hardy , produce as annual or indoors as houseplant . Most begonias can be propagated from foliage , stem or rhizome cuttings in summation to being sown from semen . ( Plant width : leaves over 6 inches ) The ‘ Ora Wilson ’ begonia grows from a creeping rhizome . The leafage is very attractive , feature large non - turbinate folio that are often colored and pattern . This industrial plant relish filtered light source but can take some sun in winter . Soil should ideally be damp . Begonias grow very well in peat - based compost also . like humidity . Does not like cold weather condition . Pinching peak and pruning out stanch in the growing season feed a bushy industrial plant , good for hanging baskets . absent all in foliage to prevent disease .
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Characteristics
Requirements
Plant Care
Fertilizing
Light
You will notice that sun and shade patterns change during the Clarence Day . The westerly side of a house may even be shady due to phantasm cast by large Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree or a body structure from an adjacent property . If you have just bought a Modern home or just start to garden in your quondam home , take time to represent sunshine and shade throughout the daytime . You will get a more accurate feel for your site ’s true light conditions . Conditions : filter LightFor many plants that prefer partly shady conditions , filtered lightis apotheosis . Good planting sites are under a mid to large sized tree that lets some light through their branches or beneath taller plants that will provide some protection . Conditions : Moisture - loving HouseplantsHouseplants that require sizable water , or those labeled asmoisture - be intimate houseplantsrequire that they be watered soundly until the soil is saturated and then drains freely from holes in the bottom of pot . Re - water supply when potting grease becomes dry to the signature an inch or so below the soil control surface . Conditions : undimmed Light for HouseplantsHouseplants requiringbright lightshould be point within 2 feet of an eastern or western photograph window or within 2 to 5 foot of a southerly exposure window . Conditions : Light and Plant SelectionFor good works functioning , it is worthy to equal the right plant with the available light precondition . Right plant , right place ! Plants which do not find sufficient light may become pale in color , have fewer leaves and a " leggy " stretched - out coming into court . Also expect flora to grow slow and have few blooms when light is less than desirable . It is possible to ply auxiliary lighting for indoor plants with lamp . flora can also get too much brightness . If a ghost loving plant life is exposed to direct Lord’s Day , it may droop and/or cause parting to be burn or otherwise damage .
Watering
The key to watering is water deep and less frequently . When watering , body of water well , i.e. ply enough water to good saturate the root ball . With in - ground plants , this think good soaking the filth until water has sink in to a profundity of 6 to 7 in ( 1 ' being better ) . With container grown plants , apply enough water to allow water to flux through the drain hollow .
endeavor to irrigate plant early on in the day or subsequently in the afternoon to keep up water and cut down on works tension . Do water betimes enough so that piddle has had a chance to dry out from flora leaves prior to night fall . This is predominant if you have had fungus problems .
Do n’t wait to H2O until plants droop . Although some plants will recover from this , all plants will perish if they droop too much ( when they reach the lasting wilting degree ) .
Consider water conservation method such as dripping irrigation , mulching , and xeriscaping . drip mold organization which slow drip wet directly on the root arrangement can be purchased at your local habitation and garden center . Mulches can significantly cool the root zone and conserve wet .
Consider adding water - saving gels to the root zona which will reserve a military reserve of water for the plant . These can make a world of dispute peculiarly under stressful stipulation . Be sure to follow label directions for their function .
Conditions : Normal Watering for Outdoor PlantsNormal wateringmeans that land should be kept evenly moist and watered on a regular basis , as condition require . Most plant like 1 column inch of weewee a workweek during the grow season , but take care not to over H2O . The first two old age after a industrial plant is establish , steady lacrimation is important for organization . The first yr is vital . It is better to water once a calendar week and water deeply , than to water frequently for a few minute . Conditions : Indoor WateringPlant are compose of almost 90 % weewee so it important to issue them with passable water . right watering is essential for good plant wellness . When there is not enough water , beginning will wither and the flora will wilt . When too much water is go for too frequently , theme are deprive of atomic number 8 and diseases occur such as root and root word rots .
The cay to watering is frequency . Water well then hold off long enough until the plant life needs to be re - water according to its moisture requirements .
When lacrimation , H2O well . That is , furnish enough water to soundly saturate the radical Lucille Ball . With containerized plants , apply enough H2O to allow urine to flow through the drain holes .
ward off using frigid piddle especially with houseplants . This can shock attendant root . Fill lacrimation can with tepid weewee or allow cold-blooded body of water to sit for a while to come to room temperature before watering . This is a good way to allow any harmful Cl in the urine to evaporate before being used .
Some plants are advantageously irrigate by sub - irrigation , i.e. watering from the bottom up . This avoids splashing piss on the leaves of sensitive works . plainly place the pot in a shallow pan fill with tepid water and let the plant posture for 15 minutes to allow the stem ball to be good wet . Take out and grant sufficient drain .
Use an unpainted dowel pin to help you decide when to re - water with child sight . mystify it into the soil ball & waitress 5 mo . The dowel will absorb moisture from the soil and turn a darker color . draw out it out and prove . This will give you an theme of how wet the soil beginning ball is .
Roots need oxygen to breathing spell , do not countenance industrial plant to sit in a saucer fill up with weewee . This will only encourage disease .
Planting
A week to 10 days before planting , add 2 to 4 inches of aged manure or compost and work into the planting site to improve fertility and increase water holding and drainage . If soil composition is weak , a stratum of topsoil should be considered as well . No matter if your soil is sand or clay , it can be improved by adding the same affair : organic matter . The more , the better ; work deep into the ground . Prepare beds to an 18 column inch bass for perennial . This will seem like a tremendous amount of employment now , but will greatly give off after . Besides , this is not something that is easy done later on , once plants have been established . How - to : Pinching and Thinning PerennialsOnce you set a perennial , it does not intend that you will enjoy years of upkeep - free gardening . Perennials want to be care for just like any other plant . One thing that distinguishes perennials is that they tend to be active growers that have to be melt off out occasionally or they will relax vigor .
As perennials establish , it is crucial to clip them back and thin them out once in a while . This will prevent them from completely taking over an area to the expulsion of other plants , and also will increase air circulation thereby subjugate the incidence of disease like botrytis and powdery mildew .
Many coinage also blossom abundantly and produce ample semen . As flower fade it is advisable to deadhead your plant ; that is , to off spent efflorescence before they form seeded player . This will foreclose your plants from seeding all over the garden and will economise the considerable vigour it takes the flora to produce ejaculate .
As perennial mature , they may form a dumb root mass that eventually leads to a less vigorous flora . It is advisable to now and again reduce out a stand of such perennials . By separate the root organisation , you may make raw plants to plant in another area of the garden or give away . Also root pruning will stimulate new growth and rejuvenate the flora . Most perennial may be successfully divided in either spring or gloaming . Do a little homework ; some perennial do have a preference . How - to : prepare ContainersContainersare excellent when used as an cosmetic feature , a planting option when there is little or no soil to plant in , or for plants that require a soil type not set up in the garden or when dirt drainage in the garden is deficient . If growing more than one works in a container , ensure that all have similar ethnic requirements . Choose a container that is deep and large enough to allow ascendant evolution and growing as well as proportional balance between the fully developed plant and the container . embed great containers in the spot you intend them to stay . All containers should have drain hole . A meshing screen , broken stiff stool pieces(crock ) or a newspaper publisher coffee filter placed over the hole will keep soil from washing out . The potting soil you select should be an appropriate mix for the plants you have chosen . Quality soils ( or filth - less medias ) suck moisture promptly and equally when wet . If water runs off soil upon initial leak , this is an indicant that your soil may not be as good as you think .
Prior to filling a container with soil , wet potting grease in the cup of tea or post in a tub or barrow so that it is evenly moist . fill up container about halfway full or to a degree that will allow plant , when set , to be just below the flange of the pot . Rootballs should be level with soil line when labor is stark . Water well . How - to : Planting PerennialsDetermine appropriate perennials for your garden by think sun and shade through the Clarence Day , photo , piss requirements , mood , soil make-up , seasonal vividness desire , and lieu of other garden plant life and trees .
The better times to plant are springiness and fall , when dirt is workable and out of danger of Robert Frost . Fall plantings have the advantage that roots can develop and not have to compete with build up top increase as in the spring . Spring is more desirable for perennial that dislike wet shape or for colder areas , let full organization before first winter . Planting in summertime or winter is not advisable for most plant life , unless found a more established sized plant life .
To plant container - grown plants : Prepare engraft hole with appropriate depth and space between . Water the plant exhaustively and permit the extra urine drainage before cautiously slay from the container . Carefully loosen the root ball and place the plant in the hole , working grease around the solution as you fill . If the plant life is extremely radical bound , separate roots with finger . A few slits made with a pocket knife are okay , but should be go on to a minimum . proceed satisfy in soil and water good , protecting from direct sun until static .
To plant naked - root flora : plant life as presently as potential after leverage . develop suitable planting holes , circulate roots and mould grime among roots as you meet in . weewee well and protect from lineal Sunday until stable .
To plant seedling : A issue of perennial raise self - sown seedlings that can be transplanted . You may also get going your own seedling seam for transplanting . Prepare suitable planting fix , space suitably for works growth . softly hoist the seedling and as much smother grunge as possible with your garden trowel , and replant it forthwith , firming soil with fingertips and pee well . Shade from direct sun and water regularly until stable . How - to : Potting Indoor PlantsMake sure that the industrial plant you have chosen is suitable for the conditions you are capable to provide it : that it will have enough light-headed , blank , and a temperature it will like . Remember that the area decent next to a windowpane will be colder than the rest of the elbow room .
Indoor flora necessitate to be transplanted into a big container periodically , or they become pot / ancestor - bound and their growth is retarded . Water the plant well before starting , so the soil will moderate the root clump together when you off it from the stack . If you have bother nonplus the plant out of the gage , try running a blade around the border of the pile , and gently whacking the sides to loosen the stain .
Always use fresh soil when transplanting your indoor plant . Fill around the works gently with soil , being measured not to backpack too tightly – you desire melodic line to be able to get to the roots . After the plant is in the unexampled pot , do n’t fertilize justly away … this will encourage the roots to satisfy in their new home .
The size mint you opt is important too . Select one that is not more than about 1 inch corking in diameter . Remember , many plants prefer being somewhat pot leap . Always bulge out with a clean crapper !
Problems
Rhizoctoniais a fungus that is establish in most grime and enter the plant through the radical or the theme at soil level . bar and Control : First of all , do not overwater and if you surmise Rhizoctonia may be your problem , decrease lacrimation . If a plant is too far gone ( all the leaves from the bottom up are wilt ) , remove it . If your plant life is in a container , chuck out the soil too . Wash the pot with a 1 part blanching agent to 9 parts water solution . Fungicides can be used , according to label charge . Consult a professional for a legal recommendation of what antimycotic to use . Pest : ThripsThripsare little , winged insects that attack many type of plants and boom in live , dry condition ( like het up sign of the zodiac ) . They can breed quickly as a female can lay up to 300 eggs in a life twain of 45 years without conjugation . Most of the harm to flora is triggered by the young larvae which fertilize on tender folio and flower tissue . This leads to distorted ontogeny , injured flower petal and premature blossom drop . Thrips also can communicate many harmful works viruses .
Prevention and Control : keep weed down and use screen on windows to keep them out . off or discard infested plants , keep them away from non - infested plant . Trap with yellow glutinous cards or take advantage of natural enemies such as predatory mites . Sometimes a good steady shower of water will wash them off the plant . confab your local garden center professional or county Cooperative extension office for sound chemic recommendation . Pest : Spider MitesSpider mitesare small , 8 legged , spider - like creatures which expand in hot , dry conditions ( like heated houses ) . Spider mites feed with piercing mouth parts , which do plants to come along icteric and stippled . folio drop and plant death can occur with heavy infestations . wanderer mites can multiply quickly , as a female person can lay up to 200 ballock in a lifespan yoke of 30 days . They also make a web which can shroud infested leaves and flowers .
Prevention and Control : Keep weeds down and remove infested plant . Dry air seems to worsen the problem , so make certain plants are on a regular basis watered , especially those prefer high humidness such as tropicals , citrous fruit , or tomato . Always check new plant life prior to bringing them home from the garden center or greenhouse . Take vantage of rude enemies such as ladybug larvae . If a miticide is recommended by your local garden center professional or county Cooperative Extension office , read and follow all label direction . Concentrate your efforts on the undersides of the leave as that is where spider mites by and large live . plague : MealybugsSmall , wingless , dull - white , soft - bodied insects that develop a waxy powdery extend . They have piercing / sucking mouth parts that suck the sap out of plant tissue . Mealybugsoften take care like humble firearm of cotton and they tend to congregate where leaves and stems branch . They attack a wide range of plant . The young be given to move around until they encounter a worthy feeding bit , then they hang out in colony and feed . Mealybugs can weaken a plant leading to lily-livered foliage and leaf drop . They also produce a sweet-flavored substance called honeydew ( covet by ants ) which can lead to an untempting black surface fungal growth call sooty mold .
Prevention and Control : Isolate overrun plants from those that are not . Consult your local garden center professional or the Cooperative Extension office in your county for a sound insecticide / chemical passport . Encourage raw enemy such as peeress beetle in the garden to help trim down population point of mealy bug . Pest : WhitefliesWhitefliesare small , wing insect that take care like tiny moths , which attack many types of industrial plant . The flying adult phase favour the underside of leafage to fee and stock . whitefly can multiply quickly as a female can lie down up to 500 eggs in a life span of 2 months . If a plant is infested with whiteflies , you will see a cloud of fleeing insect when the plant is disturb . whitefly can weaken a plant , finally lead to institute death if they are not checked . They can send many harmful plant viruses . They also make a sweet sum called honeydew ( coveted by ants ) which can run to an untempting black surface fungous growth call coal-black mould .
potential mastery : keep weeds down ; use screening in window to keep them out ; move out infested flora aside from non - infested plants ; use a reflective mulch ( aluminum hydrofoil ) under plants ( this repels whiteflies ) ; trap with yellow sticky cards , practice tag pesticides ; advance raw enemies such as parasitical wasps in the garden ; and sometimes a good unbendable shower of water will dampen them off the works . Pest : slug and SnailsSlugs and snailsfavor moist mood and are mollusks , not insect . They can be ravening feeders , eating just about anything that is not woody or highly scented . They may eat holes in leaves , strip entire stems , or totally devour seedlings and supply ship transplants , give behind tell - tale silvery , slimy trail .
bar and control : Keep your garden as neat as possible , eliminating hiding places such as leafage dust , over - turned pots , and tarps . Groundcover in shady places and grievous mulches provide protection from the elements and can be preferred hiding places . In the spring , patrol for and ruin egg ( clusters of small semitransparent spheres ) and adult during dusk and dawn . specify out beer traps from previous spring through fall .
Many chemical substance controls are available on the grocery store , but can be poisonous and deadly for children and pets ; take attention when using them - always understand the label first!Fungi : Powdery MildewPowdery Mildewis usually detect on plant that do not have enough air circulation or equal light . Problems are worse where nights are cool and days are lovesome and humid . The powdery livid or grey-headed fungus is usually find on the upper aerofoil of leaf or fruit . Leaves will often change by reversal yellow or brown , curl up , and spend off . fresh leaf emerges crinkled and distorted . Fruit will be dwarfed and often set down early .
Prevention and Control : imbed immune varieties and infinite plants properly so they have adequate light and gentle wind circulation . Always water from below , keep water off the foliage . This is preponderant for roses . Go easily on the nitrogen fertilizer . Apply antimycotic agent accord to label management before problem becomes severe and follow direction precisely , not miss any command treatment . Sanitation is a must - clean house up and remove all leaves , peak , or debris in the decline and destroy . Fungi : Leaf SpotsLeaf spots are because of fungi or bacterium . dark-brown or fatal spot and patch may be either ragged or circular , with a water soak or yellow - border appearance . Insects , rain , soiled garden tools , or even mass can help its paste .
Prevention and Control : Remove infect leaves when the works is ironic . Leaves that collect around the base of the plant life should be raked up and disposed of . Avoid overhead irrigation if potential ; water should be direct at soil tier . For fungous leaf spot , use a recommended fungicide allot to recording label directions .
Pest : Scale InsectsScales are louse , touch on to mealy bugs , that can be a job on a wide-eyed variety show of plants - indoor and outdoor . untested scales crawl until they find a estimable feeding web site . The adult female then fall back their stage and remain on a spot protected by its hard shell layer . They appear as bumps , often on the lower side of folio . They have pierce mouth share that take in the sap out of industrial plant tissue paper . Scales can undermine a plant direct to yellow foliage and folio fall . They also produce a sweet gist called honeydew ( coveted by pismire ) which can lead to an unattractive black surface fungous outgrowth call coal-black mold .
Prevention and Control : Once established they are hard to control . Isolate infested plant away from those that are not infest . look up your local garden center professional or Cooperative Extension office in your county for a legal recommendation regarding their control . Encourage natural enemies such as leechlike wasps in the garden . Fungi : Sooty MoldSooty mold is a fungus that is constitute on the surface of parting . It feeds on honeydew melon pass from aphids , mealy bugs , scale leaf , or ants . Though not serious , it is unattractive when it covers / blackens the leaf and stanch of the plant life . The best way of life to command sooty modeling is to control the dirt ball that make the honeydew melon . Sooty mould can ordinarily be wiped from leaves with a damp fabric or wash out with a hose - end sprayer .
